No Exceptions

John the Baptist proclaimed an uncompromising message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 2). His directive was to “bear fruit” (v. 8). Those serious about serving God needed to demonstrate this commitment with tangible changes. By how they lived.

It was a message every person needed to hear, regardless of age. They could not hide behind traditions or make excuses because of their position. No one was exempt. Everyone needed to encounter God. To bear fruit.

Some responded instantly, but others resisted. The fact was that there were many excuses, and many reasons why people didn’t think they needed to repent.

As a man called to “prepare the way of the Lord” (v. 3), John asked everyone to make a similar commitment. To put everything else aside and make Jesus the focal point of their lives. To live in such a way that others could see that the Gospel was true.

This message still is true. All of us need to humble ourselves before God. To repent of things we shouldn’t have said or done. To make Jesus our Lord and surrender our lives to Him. To allow God to correct and purify us. To bear “good fruit.”

These principles apply to each one of us. As the prophet wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

We all need Jesus. We all need to live for Him and bear fruit.